An Open Letter from Our President and Chairman
We are accountants and business advisors. Every day, we rely on numbers to do our jobs. Whether it’s producing a financial statement for a client, calculating a potential M&A opportunity, or determining a cost segregation study, the numbers provide a clear answer.
As you trust us with your business’ tax returns, financial statements, audits, valuations, and more, we trust our medical field colleagues as they’ve been reporting a different set of numbers.
The numbers they’re reporting are concerning for all of us.
The numbers are clear – at the end of this past summer, COVID-19 cases were rising. Hospitals are still at risk of being overcrowded. Cases among children not yet eligible for the vaccine began increasing when they returned to school this fall. While cases are starting to decrease from the peak, the Delta variant still poses a threat.
Our firm’s mission statement is: Championing the healthy growth of our people, our clients, and our communities through authenticity, world-class service, and taking care of each other. The numbers are telling us we must take care of each other by doing our part to mitigate the ongoing risks of COVID-19 – for our employees and their families, for our clients, for our communities, and for our health systems.
On Friday, October 1, 2021, we implemented a new standard for all employees in our firm. AGP team members are to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or submit a COVID-19 negative test result every seven days. We believe these steps are necessary based on the number of increased COVID cases and urgent healthcare availability. As our workforce continues to expand outside of our headquarters in Northeastern Ohio, our new policy extends to all employees – remote, in office, or hybrid work settings.
Our commitment to the health and safety of our employees and their families also encompasses our clients. AGP professionals needing to attend an on-site meeting for client projects will certify proper protocols of either providing proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test every seven days prior to arriving.
As business leaders, it is our responsibility to not only trust the numbers, but also support our communities when facing a universal pandemic and take action. Healthcare experts are voicing their concerns loud and clear – they need our help. AGP has answered the call. We encourage other business leaders to follow suit and join us in establishing policies to increase vaccination rates within the workforce or develop routine testing protocols. The health and safety of our communities should be a top priority.
Erica Ishida | President Chuck Mullen | Chairman
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